Pope prays at Basilica of Mary Major before his journey to Mexico

Maria Salus Populi Romani

Pope Francis paid a private visit to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, on Thursday morning, where he prayed before the icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani, the Byzantine icon of the Madonna and Child, ahead of his Apostolic Voyage to Mexico. The Holy Father always makes a brief visit here, before and after he travels.

From St Mary Major, the Pope made the short journey to the Archbasilica of St John Lateran, where the priests of the diocese were meeting at the beginning of Lent. During the visit, Pope Francis heard the confessions of several priests.

On the website of the Vicariate of Rome, Cardinal Agostino Vallini, Vicar for the City of Rome, explained the meeting of priests had a "penitential" character, offering the clergy the opportunity "to have an experience of the mercy of the Father; and, in turn, to be able to be ministers of mercy in the communities entrusted to us."

Cardinal Vallini noted that Pope Francis gave each priest a copy of his book 'The Name of God is Mercy.'

Source: VIS